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Leadership Pay

The 2015 salary survey has been completed for staff paid as headteachers, deputy headteachers and assistant headteachers. Anonymous information is provided on the ranges being paid as well as the actual salaries for primary, secondary and special schools. The information should be helpful as a benchmark for relevant bodies to decide if the ranges being paid at their school are still appropriate.

The salary for the headteacher is determined by the actual group size of the school and the relevant body must therefore assign its school to the appropriate group size. The actual group size then determines the 7 point salary range options for the headteacher. Details of how to calculate the group size can be found in Section 2 (Paragraphs 5-11) of the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) and the current group size can be checked with the Schools’ HR team. It is based on the January school roll number. The Leadership Pay Spine (doc format, 30KB) shows how the pay ranges of teachers, assistants, deputies and headteachers should be organised.

Following changes to the STPCD in September 2011, a headteacher’s 7 point salary range must not be lower than the minimum for the actual group size and must not exceed the maximum point allowed for the group size.

There is provision for relevant body to make a discretionary payment to a headteacher in particular circumstances in relation to: residential duties; continuing professional development undertaken outside of the school day, activities relating to provision of Initial Teacher Training, participation in out of school learning activities, additional residential duties and activities related to provision of services by the headteacher in raising educational standards in one or more additional schools. An additional payment may also be made where the school is a school causing concern or would have substantial difficulty in either recruiting to a vacant headteacher post or retaining the existing headteacher. Any payments made under these provisions must not exceed twenty-five per cent of their current basic salary. If relevant bodies wish to consider making a discretionary payment they should read the full details in the STPCD and should also contact Schools’ HR for advice.

The headteacher’s salary range should be agreed by the whole governing body but progression up the range should be agreed by the pay committee following a recomendation at the headteacher’s annual appraisal review. In the event of an appeal, this must be heard if necessary by those from the relevant body not involved in the original decision about progression.